Events Guide | What’s On in Bournemouth

Westbourne Farmers’ and Makers Market brings local producers, bakers, artists and independent traders to Landseer Road on the first Saturday of every month. Visitors can shop for artisan bread, vegetables, meat, cheese, preserves, cakes, plants and handmade products while supporting businesses from Dorset and the surrounding area. The outdoor market is free to visit, welcomes dogs on leads and is close to Westbourne’s shops, cafés, bus stops and public parking.

Aladdin comes to Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, bringing festive magic, music, comedy and spectacular staging to the town. The star-studded cast includes Coronation Street's James Cartwright, Bournemouth favourite Noel Brodie, Jamie Steen, Britain's Got Talent singer Kristel Herrera and West End performers Morgan Jackson and Bree Smith, alongside Dante Nardone in the title role. Tickets start from £18, with family and group discounts, school performances, captioned and relaxed performances available. Discover the full cast, show times and booking information.

The United Kingdom Open Dance Festival returns to Bournemouth International Centre, bringing six days of world-class Ballroom and Latin dance competitions to the South Coast. Featuring professional champions, rising stars and talented amateur dancers from around the world, the prestigious event includes daytime qualifying rounds, glamorous evening finals and live orchestral music. Discover the competition programme, ticket options and everything you need to plan your visit.

Bournemouth 7s Festival returns 28-30 May 2027 for its 20th anniversary. Find dates, tickets, sports, live music, camping and visitor information.

Join Stitch Night at FLIRT Café & Bar in Bournemouth's Triangle, a relaxed social craft gathering hosted by Becca from To Be Adorned. Bring along your latest knitting, crochet or hand-sewing project and enjoy an evening of creativity, conversation and community. Sessions typically run from 6:30pm to 9pm, with food and drinks available to purchase from the café. No formal tuition is provided, making it ideal for anyone who enjoys crafting independently while meeting other local makers. Check the organiser's latest dates before attending.

Boscombe Market is a traditional open-air street market held every Thursday and Saturday in the pedestrianised section of Christchurch Road. Visitors can browse stalls selling fresh produce, food, clothing, plants, jewellery and household goods in the centre of Boscombe’s shopping district. Entry is free, with nearby bus stops, town-centre parking and local shops making it easy to combine the market with a wider visit to Boscombe.

Celebrate Bourne Free Pride Festival 2027 in Bournemouth, with three days of live entertainment, community celebrations and family-friendly activities at Meyrick Park. Featuring the annual Pride Parade, live music, market stalls and a free Family Fun Day, it's one of Dorset's biggest and most colourful summer festivals.

Bournemouth Sunday Market brings independent traders, street food and traditional market stalls to The Square every Sunday. Visitors can browse clothing, gifts, crafts, fresh produce, food and household goods in the pedestrianised town centre, close to Bournemouth Gardens and the main shopping streets. This visitor guide covers current trading times, location, parking, public transport, accessibility and what you can expect to find at the market.

Bournemouth Christmas Market returns to The Square from 12 November to 31 December 2026, bringing Alpine-style wooden chalets, independent traders, Christmas gifts, festive street food and the popular Alpine Lodge Bar. Entry is free, with market stalls open daily and food traders serving until 10pm. Visitors can also explore the Festive Trail, enjoy live entertainment and visit SKATE Bournemouth in the nearby Lower Gardens.

Anathema Witch Markets bring alternative artists, makers, readers and independent traders to Boscombe’s historic Royal Arcade throughout the year. Each indoor market follows a different seasonal theme, with stalls selling handmade jewellery, candles, crystals, herbal products, gothic artwork, books, clothing and unusual curiosities. Entry is free, with tarot readings, live music and occasional workshops adding to the experience. This guide includes the confirmed 2026 dates, facilities, accessibility and travel information.

Westover Gardens Art and Makers Market brings local artists, designers and independent makers to Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens between May and October. Visitors can browse original artwork, jewellery, ceramics, homeware, accessories and handmade gifts in an attractive outdoor setting close to The Square and seafront. The market is free to visit and normally operates on weekends and advertised bank holidays, although visitors should check the organiser’s latest dates before travelling.

Dancing Terraces returns to Pavilion Dance South West for summer, bringing free outdoor dance sessions to the Garden Terrace beside Bournemouth’s seafront. Every Friday and Saturday evening in August, visitors can join professional dancers, musicians and DJs for styles ranging from Commercial and African dance to Bollywood, Vintage Jazz, Hip Hop, Ceilidh and Salsa. No booking or previous dance experience is required, making this a relaxed, family-friendly way to enjoy a summer evening in Bournemouth.

Christmas Tree Wonderland Bournemouth returns, filling the Lower Gardens with illuminated trees, interactive displays and festive photo opportunities. The main light trail is free to explore, while optional attractions are expected to include Santa’s Workshop, the Christmas Tree Maze, festive mini golf and Santa’s Express. Located beside Bournemouth Christmas Market and SKATE Bournemouth, it forms the centrepiece of Christmas in Bournemouth.

Slug & Lettuce Bournemouth combines stylish interiors, colourful cocktails and a lively atmosphere with great-value drinks offers and popular brunch experiences. Enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails all day, every day, or book Bottomless Brunch from £35.45 per person, including a meal and two hours of selected bottomless drinks. With themed brunches, premium cocktail upgrades and food options available throughout the day, it's a popular choice for birthdays, celebrations, hen parties and catch-ups with friends.

Be At One Bournemouth offers daily 2-for-1 cocktails, student discounts, £5 margaritas mid-week and 50% off spirits for students and industry workers, all set to DJs and a lively nightlife atmosphere.

The Dancing Jug in Bournemouth's Triangle combines great-value food and drinks with lively entertainment throughout the week. Enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails every day, Bottomless Brunch from £33 for 2.5 hours, and a new 90-minute brunch option from £23 for students. With 50% off food on Mondays, midweek meal deals, quiz nights, karaoke, DJs and live music, there's plenty happening at this colourful town-centre bar. Whether you're planning a birthday, brunch date or night out with friends, The Dancing Jug offers a fun and sociable atmosphere.

Discover Barbara's Bier Haus Bournemouth, an après-ski-inspired bar on Old Christchurch Road offering daily Happy Hour, bottomless brunch and a lively programme of entertainment. Enjoy 50% off selected drinks from 4pm to 8pm, Saturday brunch with unlimited pizza and drinks, Sunday Boozy Quiz nights and Monday Music Bingo. With live music, free karaoke, student deals, DJs and alpine-inspired food, Barbara's brings a lively mountain-party atmosphere to Bournemouth town centre throughout the week.

Discover Smokin' Aces Bournemouth, an award-winning cocktail bar and whiskey lounge in the Triangle, known for its live music, expertly crafted drinks and lively atmosphere. Enjoy Wednesday jazz nights, Friday live bands, Saturday DJs and a monthly quiz, alongside whiskey, rum, gin and cocktail masterclasses starting from £28 per person. With its hidden downstairs lounge, welcoming approach and late-night opening hours, Smokin' Aces remains one of Bournemouth's most distinctive independent nightlife venues.

Discover The Four Horsemen in Bournemouth's Triangle, an independent pub known for its extensive craft beer selection, retro atmosphere and underground microclub. With over 100 beers and ciders, a popular Tuesday quiz at 8pm, live music, DJ nights, comedy and regular events, there's always something interesting happening. The venue also serves hearty pub food, making it a great spot for drinks, entertainment and a night out with friends.

The Brass Haus in central Bournemouth combines Bavarian-inspired pub atmosphere with live music, sport and great-value food and drink offers. Enjoy weekday meal-and-drink deals from £8.75, Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4pm to 8pm, and Bottomless Brunch from £35 per person. With sharing plates, student discounts, live entertainment and major sporting fixtures shown throughout the week, it's a lively spot for lunches, after-work drinks and nights out with friends.

Cosy Club Bournemouth combines vintage glamour, stylish interiors and a welcoming atmosphere with a selection of food, drink and group experiences. Enjoy two cocktails for £14.95 during Teatime Tipple, available Sunday to Friday from 4pm to 9pm, or upgrade your brunch with 90 minutes of bottomless drinks for £25 per person, with food charged separately. The venue also offers cocktail, mocktail and House Coolers masterclasses, making it a great choice for date nights, celebrations and group gatherings.

Bournemouth parkrun is a free weekly 5K for runners, joggers and walkers at Kings Park. Taking place every Saturday at 9am, it welcomes experienced runners, complete beginners, families and anyone wanting a more active start to the weekend. Here is everything you need to know about the course, registration, parking, public transport and current participation rules.

Boom Battle Bar Bournemouth offers axe throwing, crazy golf, beer pong and more, with 2-for-1 cocktails during weekday Happy Hour and a £15 fully loaded lunchtime deal including food, drinks and games.

Flirt Café & Bar in Bournemouth hosts weekly quiz nights, monthly curry and bingo events, arts and crafts sessions, live entertainment and regular Happy Hour deals in a fun, welcoming community space.

Experience Proms in the Park at Meyrick Park, Bournemouth. Hosted by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, this popular Dorset summer event features two spectacular evenings of live orchestral music, from timeless classical favourites and film scores to the biggest hits of the 1990s, all ending with a breathtaking fireworks display. Find event dates, ticket information and everything you need to plan your visit.

As autumn begins, Bournemouth Pavilion’s September programme delivers a fresh run of live entertainment, from standout concerts and theatre to comedy, tribute acts and special one-night performances.

Experience one of Dorset's biggest cultural weekends at the free Arts by the Sea Festival in Bournemouth. This award-winning festival fills Bournemouth Gardens and the town centre with spectacular outdoor performances, live music, street theatre, art installations, dance and interactive experiences.

October at Bournemouth Pavilion is packed with live entertainment for everyone, from major concerts and comedy to theatre, tribute shows and family favourites, making it one of the busiest months of the year.

Join the Romance Writing Festival 2026 in Bournemouth for a day of inspiring talks, writing workshops, expert masterclasses and networking with bestselling romance authors, literary agents and publishing professionals. Taking place at the Marsham Court Hotel on 3 October 2026, this unique Dorset literary event is ideal for aspiring and established romance writers looking to improve their craft, connect with the writing community and take the next step towards publication.

Discover what's on at Bournemouth Pavilion in November 2026, with a packed programme of live music, comedy, dance, family entertainment and festive performances. Highlights include Susan Calman, Nigel Kennedy, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, The Stylistics and Tony Hadley. From spectacular tap dancing and tribute concerts to the Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular, there's plenty to enjoy at the Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom throughout the month.

The Alpine Lodge returns to Bournemouth's Christmas Market from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, bringing festive drinks, live entertainment and an après-ski atmosphere to The Square. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, winter cocktails, themed nights, karaoke, quizzes and live music inside the Bavarian-inspired lodge. Open daily from 11am, with extended opening until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, The Alpine Lodge also offers bookable tables, booths and ski gondola experiences for Christmas parties and group celebrations.

Cool Coast Ice Rink returns to Bournemouth International Centre from 28 November 2026 to 21 February 2027, bringing indoor ice skating to the BIC's Purbeck Hall throughout the winter season. The South Coast's largest indoor seasonal ice rink welcomes families, beginners and experienced skaters, with 60-minute sessions, skate hire included and tickets starting from £12.50 for children and £14 for adults. With skating available whatever the weather, it's a popular choice for festive days out and February half-term activities.